Islamic Republic has intensified to menace and detain Iranian journalists in recent weeks. Banning the newspapers and publications together with attacking online journalists and web log writers, and increasing blocking opponent websites caused more insecurity and worry among journalists.

Threatening declaration of Hossein Shariatmadari, hateful Keyhan newspaper president (who is appointed by Ali Khameneie, Islamic Republic Leader), against journalists caused recent arresting and banning.

The most recent one is Arash Sigarchi, Gilan-e-Emrouz editor-in- chief who is detained because of publishing an article on Rouhollah Khomeini's command for general massacre of political prisoners in 1988;

Omid Memariyan was arrested also on Sunday.

Iran Freedom of Expression Frontiers convicting the suppressing measurements before starting another election show by Islamic Republic takes the attention of supporters of human rights and freedom of expression, media and public opinion to the increase of suppression and fear by Islamic Republic.

We are asking also the urgent and without condition release of all arrested journalists and the detainees who were arrested in front of UN office in Tehran 2 month ago and now are in a risky situation.



Iran Freedom of Expression Frontiers

11.Oct.2004